Puzzle



J. D. MILLER.

(No Model.)

PUZZLE.

I ZJ7 .Z

Patented Mar. 26,, 1895.

L 6 1 $7 5 1 z "Fiat W v w A 4 WW, 1

groove in the Spindle and notches formed in,

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. MILLER, OF RIVERDALE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TOOHARLES-P. THOMSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND JULIAN L. WRIGHT, OF OOLLEGE PARK,MARYLAND.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,220, dated March as, 1895.

' Application filed July 5, 1894. Serial No. 516,650. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern: 7

Be it knowntthat I, JOHN D. MILLER,a citizen of the Unitedv States, residing at Riverdale, in the county of 'Prince Georges and 5 State of Maryland, have invented certain new is provided with a cap partially covering the hollowed out portion, said cap having a cutaway portion adapted to register with a the rings. Balls are placed in each head but only those in the capped head enter the grooves and notches referred to. The other balls are simply used as dummies. to perplex the operator.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is'a central longitudinal section through the same showing the puzzle locked. Fig. 3 isa similar view showing parts in unlocked position. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing parts separated.

1 represents the spindle provided with the head, 2 a groove or cut out portion 3, and a groove 4 extending entirely around the same; said groove being located at one end of the groove 3.

5 is a head which is bored out at 6 andis provided with an opening 7 through which being countersunk in the head 5 as shown.

8 is a disk provided with a sleeve 9,said sleeve being provided with a cutaway portion .orgroove 10. An opening extends through the center of the disk and sleeve, through which the spindlepasses. I shall, for convenfence refer to the disk Sand sleeve 9 as the sleeved disk.

the spindle passes, the head 2 of said spindle 11 and 12 are two disks, each provided with a cut out portion or notch 13 and 1 1 respectively. t

15 is a head provided with cutout portions 16, 17 and 18; one end of the spindle 1 working in the portion 18, and theballs 19 in the portion 17. In the portion16 I countersink a cap 20 and secure it in position by any suitable means. 'This cap is provided with a notch 21..

22 is a covering for the puzzle on which may be printed, (as shown) various letters with which a certain sentence or name of a firm, using the puzzles for purposes of advertising may be formed. 7

23 are b'alls loosely confined in the head 5 as dummies;

The parts are put together by first passing one end of the spindle through the opening 7 in the cap 5. Then put the dummy ball 23 in the space 6. This space 6 is of such width that there will be a slight frictional contact between the balls and spindle. The sleeved disk is then slipped over the spindle and disks 11 and 12 slipped over the sleeve 9. The disks, sleevedisk and the spindle are turned until the notch or groove in each, register with each other. I then drop the balls 19 into the cavity thus formed and place the head 15 over the end of the spindle in such a manner that the notch 21 will register with the cavity just mentioned. Holdingthe cap rigidly in this position, I'in vert the whole whereby the balls 19 roll through the notch 21 into the cap and by turning the cap it is locked to the spindle. The balls-19 work in the groove 4 on the spindle and have a slight frictional contact with The disks are then turned at ranhead and the groove 3 in the spindle will not increasing the intricacy of the puzzle.

register. To overcome this frictional contact it is necessary to place the thumb on the head 2 of the spindle to bind it tightly in its countersink, whereby the head 15 may be turned so that the notch will register with the groove 3 in the spindle while the disks may in turn be brought in to proper position so that the balls will drop out of the head 15 into the cavity formed by the grooves or notches 3, 10, 13, and 141 and thus unlock the puzzle.

On the outside of the puzzle is pasted a Wrapper on which are printed various letters adapted to form sentences or an advertisers name, 850., which when properly arranged form the key for opening the puzzle, thereby,

Business cards,announcements, (5170., maybe pasted on the end of the puzzle.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A puzzle comprising a spindle having grooves, grooved heads loosely mounted on the same, balls located in the said heads to make frictional contact between the heads and the spindle, and notched or grooved disks] loosely mounted on said spindle between the heads.

2. A puzzle comprising a spindle having grooves, grooved heads loosely mounted on said spindle, balls located in said heads,whereby frictional contact is made between the heads and spindle, a sleeved disk having a notch or groove and loosely mounted on said spindle between the heads, and notched disks loosely mounted on said sleeved disk.

3. In a puzzle the combination with a grooved spindle, loosely mounted in a series of notched disks, and a grooved head loosely secured to one end of the spindle, of a head having a groove, a notched cap countersunk in said head and balls located in said groove and held there by the cap, said balls making a frictional contact between the head and the spindle.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. MILLER.

Witnesses:

EDWIN S. CLARKSON, B. F. FUNK. 

